York City claim first win of the season over nine-men Southend

An incredible performance from Dipo Akinyemi saw York’s leading goalscorer pick up three assists against Southend, with York claiming their first victory since April’s triumph at Chesterfield.

It’s also a first win in charge for newly-appointed manager Neal Ardley, who said before the match that the Minstermen would need an exceptional performance from his players to get a positive result against Kevin Maher’s Southend.

And sensationally, that’s how York took the lead.

An incredible finish from Thierry Latty-Fairweather saw the defender open his account for the club, arrowing an effort into the top right corner from 30-yards out.

Southend were reduced to ten men midway through the second-half after a clumsy challenge by Harry Taylor forced the referee to send the Shrimpers defender off, leading to an influx of goals for the Minstermen.

Akinyemi first squared an inch-perfect pass into Maziar Kouhyar, who grabbed his second of the season with a calm finish from close-range.

Before Zanda Siziba settled the three points, latching onto a pinpoint cross from Akinyemi to tuck the ball home at the back post.

Southend’s day was summed up in 87th minute, when Scott-Morriss was shown a red card after arguing with the referee, seeing Maher’s side reduced to nine.

Ardley surprised some with the lineup he opted to use against the Shrimpers, making two changes from the City side that were held to a 2-2 draw against Boreham Wood last weekend.

Quevin Castro dropped to the bench whilst Callum Howe was absent from the squad altogether, seeing Thierry Latty-Fairweather and Lenell John-Lewis back in the starting eleven, with the latter returning after serving his three-match suspension.

Dan Batty was also included in the starting eleven after recovering from a dead leg last weekend, whilst Jack Stott was missing after rolling his ankle in training on Thursday.

Southend made one change to their side that drew 1-1 with FC Halifax Town last Saturday, with Nathan Ralph dropping out, whilst Maher’s side only brought three substitutes to their squad due to their ongoing issues off-of-the-field.

Ardley had spent time in training this week focusing on all of Southend’s strengths, including the power of Gus Scott-Morriss’ long throw.

It caused problems just one minute into the contest, with Harry Cardwell’s header skidding narrowly wide of the target.

International team mate of Maziar Kouhyar, Noor Husin was starting in midfield for Southend and forced Ryan Whitley into a comfortable stop after a tame effort from the edge of the box.

But with neither side really testing one another, it took something special for the Minstermen to open the scoring.

A sensational strike from Latty-Fairweather opened his account for the club, hammering an effort with his weak foot into the top right corner from 30-yards out.

Defensively, York had their work cut out for them, with Tyler Cordner first making a courageous block to deny Wes Fonguck’s goalbound effort, before Whitley thwarted Callum Powell who had broke free behind the City defence.

Southend were in control of possession and pushing for an equaliser on the brink of half-time, and with Fonguck pulling the strings for the Shrimpers, the away side were inches away after a diving save from Whitley saw the ball tipped around the post.

Heading into the second half, Southend began the contest the stronger, as Powell forced Whitley to palm away a low effort.

City did grow into the match after Kennedy’s cross was flicked goalwards by John-Lewis, but failing to find the target.

Akinyemi was then controversially pulled down in the box by Ollie Kensdale, but the referee saw no issue with play and waved on to the dismay of the City supporters, and Ardley.

The leading goalscorer for York was immediately back involved as he led the break for the hosts, before squaring into the path of John-Lewis’ whose sliced effort allowed Kouhyar to strike goalwards, only to see Kensdale make a fantastic block to deny a second.

Southend did have chances of their own and were testing Whitley, as Cardwell’s low effort forced the City shot-stopper into another excellent stop.

A first corner of the match fell to City on the hour mark, and nearly resulted in a goal as Adam Crookes’ looping header was met by Akinyemi, but his strike was slammed over the goal.

Latty-Fairweather was inspired against the Shrimpers, and showed his ability when easing past three Southend challenges before powering an effort goalwards, that Andeng Ndi was equal to.

Everything was clicking for Ardley’s Minstermen, and the level of spirit was shown as John-Lewis busted a gut to keep the ball in play and lay the ball off for Dyson, who hammered a strike into the crowd.

And the likelihood of a win grew even greater on the 70th minute mark, with Southend being reduced to ten men.

A long ball saw Akinyemi race in behind, but a foolish challenge from Taylor forced the referee to show the Shrimpers defender a straight red card.

And matters became even better for York just four minutes later, doubling their lead.

Akinyemi was once again heavily involved, keeping possession within the box before squaring into the path of Kouhyar, who was able to coolly tuck the ball home.

But York still weren’t done at the LNER Community Stadium, and quickly added a third.

A third assist of the afternoon from Akinyemi saw the striker receive possession from John-Lewis before racing away from his defender, before expertly producing an outside of the foot pass to the back post, where Siziba was waiting to calmly slide the ball beneath Andeng Ndi.

Southend’s day went from bad to worse, as Scott-Morriss was shown a second yellow card after arguing with the referee, before chaos ensued in the match.

Southend supporters pitch invaded, chanting for ‘Martin out’, their chairman, with the club’s off-the-field battles continuing on.

But with play eventually resuming, City went on to claim their first three points of the season, and an instrumental performance on home soil.

York City: Whitley 7, Fallowfield 7, Cordner 7, Crookes 7, Latty-Fairweather 8 (Hurst 6, 71); Kouhyar 8, Batty 8 (McLaughlin, 78), Dyson 6, Kennedy 6 (Siziba 7, 59), Akinyemi 9, John-Lewis 7

Subs not used: Watson, Castro

Goals: Latty-Fairweather (25), Kouhyar (74), Siziba (77)

Yellow cards: Cordner (47), Kennedy (51)

Southend United: Andeng Ndi, Scott-Morriss, Kensdale, Demetriou, Taylor, Bridge, Husin, Miley, Fonguck (Mooney, 75), Cardwell, Powell (Wood, 65)

Sub: Coker

Yellow cards: Scott-Morriss (61)

Red card: Taylor (70), Scott-Morriss (87)

Referee: Paul Cooper

York’s star man: Dipo Akinyemi. An incredible performance from the striker who claimed three assists to spearhead York’s first victory of the National League season.

Attendance: 4679 (580)

Shots (on target): 5 (6) | 0 (5)

Corners: 1 | 6

Offsides: 1 | 0

Fouls committed: 6 | 8